Container with disposal compartment

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are embodiments of a container with disposal compartment. In some embodiments, the container may fruits having portions, such as pits, that are discarded after the fruits have been consumed. The container may include a disposal compartment to receive the discarded portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/US20/24790, filed Mar. 35, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/828,348, filed Apr. 2, 2019, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to containers. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a container with a compartment to receive disposed matters.

BACKGROUND

Currently, many containers of fruits, e.g., boxes or cups, have opaque enclosures and the consumers do not see what are actually contained inside, but must rely on pictures on the containers. The containers are also not made with environmental/sustainable material. In addition, for fruits that have pits, when they are consumed, the consumers have no convenient place to discard the pits unless they are next to a trash bin.

Thus, needs exist for a fruit container that has a clear window displaying the fruits contained within and has a compartment to receive discarded portions of the fruits without the above mentioned and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are example embodiments of a container with disposal compartment.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure generally provides a container for storing fruits having portions, such as pits, that are discarded after the fruits have been consumed. The container may include a compartment to receive the discarded portions. The consumer does not have to look for a trash bin or have to hold on to the discarded portions in her hands.

In some embodiments, the container may include a transparent window displaying the content, such as the fruits, being stored inside. In some applications, this window advantageously allows the consumer to clearly differentiate the content from other fruits, especially those that look similar, for example, dates, figs and prunes, where photos or drawings on the container cannot clearly differentiate.

Other features and advantages of the present invention are or will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description, which illustrate, by way of examples, the principles of the present invention.

The systems, methods, and apparatuses for a container with disposal compartment described herein in detail are only example embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Other configurations, methods, features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional configurations, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the subject matter described herein, and be protected by the accompanying claims. In no way should the features of the example embodiments be construed as limiting the appended claims, absent express recitation of those features in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The details of the subject matter set forth herein, both as to its structure and operation, may be apparent by study of the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of an exemplary container with disposal compartment, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates further examples of container with disposal compartment, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary container with disposal compartment, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a tray, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a tray, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of a tray without a top seal film, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates a sectional view of a tray, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C illustrates another sectional view of a tray, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Generally, the present disclosure provides embodiments of a container with disposal compartment. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a container for storing edibles having discardable potions. For example, the container may store fruits having portions, such as pits, that are discarded after the fruits have been consumed. The container may include a first compartment to hold or store the edible and a second compartment to receive the discarded portions. The consumer thus does not have to look for a trash bin or does not have to hold on to the discarded portions in her hands.

In some embodiments, the container may include a transparent window displaying the content, such as the fruits, being stored inside. In some applications, this window advantageously allows the consumer to clearly differentiate the content from other fruits, especially those that look similar, for example, dates, figs and prunes, where photos or drawings on the container cannot clearly differentiate.

In some embodiments, the container may stand vertically on a flat, horizontal surface. This position advantageously makes markings on the container easy to read message and enables consumers to quickly understand the content.

In some embodiments, the container may be made of environmental/sustainable material, for example, 99% recycled paper. In some embodiments, minimal amount of plastic may be used.

Turning now to the drawings, as shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a container 100 may have a substantially rectangular shape. The container may include a hollow rectangular-shape body 102 with five sides (top, bottom, right, left, and back) and an open end 110, and a rectangular-shape tray 104 that can be fitly slid in and out of the rectangular-shape body 102 through the open end 110. At least one side of the body 102 may include a transparent window 112. At one end of the tray 104, the tray 104 may include a compartment 106. The compartment 106 may include an opening 108 to receive elements to be stored in the compartment. In an exemplary application, the container may store organic dates in the tray 104. A consumer can store the pits of the dates in the compartment 106 by inserting the pits through the opening 108. Although not required, the consumer may insert the tray 104 into the body 102, through the open end 110, such that the compartment 106 may be at the open end 110 when the tray 104 is fully inserted into the body 102.

In some applications, the container may be used in a similar manner as a kitchen counter serving tray.

It should be noted that although the example of dates and their pits is used above, any other fruits or edibles and their discarded or discardable portions may also be stored using the container of the present disclosure.

It should also be noted that although the container is described as having a substantially rectangular shape, other shapes that can accommodate a slidable tray may also be used.

FIG. 2 shows further examples of the container of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a container 200 may include a compartment 206 that may not include an opening.

Turning to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, a container 300 may also have a substantially rectangular shape. The container may include a hollow rectangular-shape body 302 with five sides (top, bottom, right, left, and back) and an open end 310, and a tray 304 that can be fitly slid in and out of the rectangular-shape body 302 through the open end 310. At least one side of the body 302 may include a transparent window 312.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the tray 304, according to some embodiments. The tray 304 may include a main compartment 402 and a supplemental compartment 404 to receive discarded parts. The supplemental compartment 404 may locate at one end of the tray 304. The supplemental compartment 404 may include an opening 406 to receive elements to be stored/discarded in the supplemental compartment 404. In some embodiments, the supplemental compartment 404 may have a depth smaller than the depth of the main compartment 402 (see FIG. 6B for further detail).

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the tray 304, according to some embodiments. The tray 304 may include a top seal film 502 to seal a content inside the main compartment 402. In some embodiments, the seal film 502 may include a transparent part in a center area such that the content inside the main compartment 402 may be visible with the seal film 502 still affixed on the main compartment 402. In some embodiments, the seal film 502 may include a separate seal film 506 positioned on top of the opening 406. In some embodiments, the seal film 506 may be transparent. In some embodiments, the seal film 506 may include a ring 508. In some embodiments, the seal film 502, the seal film 506 and the ring 508 may be made of the same material. In some embodiments, the ring 508 may be made of a different material from the seal film 502. In some embodiments, the seal film 502 may include a tab 504 protruding outwardly from the main compartment 402 such that the tab 504 may be at least partially visible when the tray 304 is fully inserted in the main compartment 402 (see FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the seal films 502 and 506 may include perforations, for example to allow a user to create an opening in the corresponding compartment. In some embodiments, the seal films 502 and 506 may include adhesive that allows the seal films to be resealable.

In an exemplary application, the container may store organic dates in the tray 304. After removing the seal film 502 (and seal film 506 if included), a consumer can store the pits of the dates in the supplemental compartment 404 by inserting the pits through the opening 406. The consumer may insert the tray 304 into the body 302, through the open end 310, such that the supplemental compartment 404 may be away from the open end 310 and toward the back of the body 302 when the tray 304 is fully inserted into the body 302. In this way, the tab 504 may be at least partially visible when the tray 304 is fully inserted in the main compartment 402.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of the tray 304, without the seal film, according to some embodiments. The tray 304 may be made of compostable material, or another suitable material. The tray 304 may have an overall length L3 (e.g., 7.25 inches or 184.15 mm) and overall depth W3 (e.g., 4.46 inches or 113.28 mm).

FIGS. 6B and 6C illustrate sectional views of the tray 304, according to some embodiments. The supplemental compartment 404 may have a smaller depth D2 (e.g., 1.25 inches or 31.75 mm) than the depth D1 (e.g., 2.25 inches or 57.15 mm) of the main compartment 402. The main compartment 402 may have substantially longer inside length L1 (e.g., 5.28 inches or 134.11 mm) than the inside length L2 (e.g., 0.83 inch or 21.08 mm) of the supplemental compartment 404. In some embodiments, the main compartment 402 and the supplemental compartment 404 may have substantially the same inside width W1 (e.g., 3.77 inches or 95.76 mm). As such, the main compartment 402 may have a substantially larger storage volume V1 (e.g., 22 fl oz or 650.62 ml) than the volume V2 (e.g., 1.6 fl oz or 47.32 ml) of the supplemental compartment 404.

In some embodiments, the two longitudinal walls of the main compartment 402 may incline outwardly, for example at 7 degree. The two longitudinal walls of the main compartment 402 may include an upper portion 602 and a lower portion 604. In some embodiments, the lower portion 604 may indent inwardly. In some embodiments, the top of the main compartment 402 may include a flange 606 with width F1 (e.g., 0.34 inches or 8.64 mm).

It should be noted that the above measurements are only examples.

It should also be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the following description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In general, terms such as “coupled to,” and “configured for coupling to,” and “secure to,” and “configured for securing to” and “in communication with” (for example, a first component is “coupled to” or “is configured for coupling to” or is “configured for securing to” or is “in communication with” a second component) are used herein to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two or more components or elements. As such, the fact that one component is said to be in communication with a second component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second components.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container with disposal compartment, comprising: a substantially rectangular-shape body having five sides and an open end; and a substantially rectangular-shape tray configured to fitly slide into and out of the body through the open end, wherein the tray comprises a main storage compartment and a disposal compartment.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the disposal compartment includes an opening.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein one side of the body includes a transparent window.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the main storage compartment is substantially larger than the disposal compartment.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the main storage compartment has a depth deeper than a depth of the disposal compartment.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a top seal film.
 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the top seal film covers the main storage compartment and the disposal compartment.
 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the top seal film includes a tab protruding outwardly from the main storage compartment.
 9. The container of claim 8, wherein when the tray is fully inserted into the body, the tab is at least partially visible.
 10. The container of claim 6, wherein the top seal film includes a separate seal film positioned on top of the opening of the disposal compartment. 